Washing baby at hospital

I know it's best to leave the vernix on the baby. I am still undecided on the subject because my SO is completely against it. Anyways- babies get a bath right after birth right? Do they take baby to the nursery or do it infront of you? I read an older post from a few years back and the posters were saying babies get two baths. One in the nursery and then one to teach the new parents how to do so. Is this true?

I really only posted because I wanted to know if anyone has ever asked the hospital to use personal soap on the baby? Most hospitals use Johnsons from what I've seen. I bought a bottle of burts bees because I wanted something more natural. Would it be weird of me to ask them to bathe baby with the burts bees inseatd of the Johnson's?

Comments (18)

Marina, I read into the ingredients and read all the reviews I could find. I haven't come across any baby having a reaction. That's why I was thinking they wouldn't want to use it at the hospital. It's not 100% natural but I wanted something with less chemicals. I really hope this doesn't cause any reactions! Now you have me scared! Lol

Burt's Bee's won't give your kid a bad reaction anymore than Johnson and Johnsons. The only difference is BBs is more natural than JJs. And even then, you're speaking more of an allergic reaction, which could happen with any soap that has items that could cause an allergic reaction (which, even some organic items have).

I'd just ask L&D, maybe when you go to your walk through/baby classes? If not, you could just call and inquire.

Edit to clarify: I'm not speaking of the chemicals in JJs/BBs, I'm speaking purely on having an allergic reaction. Which, as someone who has allergies, I struggle more with scents than I do chemicals, however I do understand sometimes those cause allergic reactions as well. But, if I'm remembering correctly, that is less common than the scent/smell allergy.

I used to be a nursery/Nicu nurse. Our protocol was the newborn had to maintain temp for 2 hours after delivery and then we bathed baby. It was never a prOblem if patents wanted to use a different brand. Infant some parents had kids with allergies to j&j so they provided their own. Give the nursery you will be delivering at a call and ask them.

My hospital has changed the policy on baths since my DS was born. They wait at least 12 hours now, which I am totally behind. The vernix on the baby will be absorbed and is beneficial. Why wash it off? As far as soap, they will use a different kind if you bring it in or use the JJ if you don't.